Princess Jincheng, was a revered figure of the Tang Dynasty, famed for her marriage to Tibetan King Tride Tsukten. Adopted by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, she contributed significantly to the Sino-Tibetan relations, reinforcing the alliance initiated by Princess Wencheng.
One of her most profound contributions was her advocacy for Buddhist monks who sought refuge in Tibet. According to the Tibetan manuscript The History of Khotan Dharma (preserved in Dunhuang), Princess Jincheng played a crucial role in convincing the Tibetan king to provide sanctuary for displaced monks from Khotan. She spearheaded the construction of temples, provided living necessities, and organized translation efforts to preserve Buddhist scriptures. These actions laid a solid foundation for the flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly during the reign of Trisong Detsen.
Early Life of Princess Jincheng
Princess Jincheng, originally named Li Nunnu, was born in 698 CE during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. By the age of five, in 702 CE, the Tibetan king, Tridu Songtsen, led a military campaign against the Tang-controlled region of Xizhou. Although the Tibetan army achieved several victories, diplomatic channels remained open. In 703 CE, the Tibetan Empire sent envoys with gifts, including 1,000 horses and 2,000 taels of gold, to propose peace and a marital alliance. Empress Wu Zetian agreed to the proposal.
In 704 CE, Tridu Songtsen passed away while campaigning in the western Erhai region (modern-day Yunnan Province). His successor, Tridé Tsuktsen, ascended the throne under the regency of his grandmother, Trimalö.
Princess Jincheng’s Marriage to the Tibetan King
In 706 CE, the first formal peace treaty between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, known as the Shenlong Treaty, was established. In 707 CE, the Tibetan Empire requested a royal marriage alliance, which the Tang Emperor Zhongzong (Li Xian) accepted. In 710 CE, Princess Jincheng was officially granted the title of “Princess Jincheng” and was chosen to marry Tridé Tsuktsen.
In November 709 CE, a Tibetan delegation of 1,000 people arrived in Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an) to escort Princess Jincheng to Tibet. In early 710 CE, Emperor Zhongzong issued an edict emphasizing the importance of peace and harmony, marking the beginning of her journey. After a farewell banquet in Xianyang, Princess Jincheng traveled west under the protection of envoy Yang Ju and arrived in Lhasa, where she married the Tibetan king.
To commemorate this diplomatic marriage, the Tang court renamed Xianyang as “Jincheng County” and granted tax exemptions for local residents for one year.
Background of the Princess’s Marriage:
In a time of fluctuating relations between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, Princess Jincheng’s marriage in 710 AD was a strategic move to cement the alliance. Emperor Zhongzong sent General Yang Jue to escort her to Tibet, a journey that symbolized the diplomatic efforts of the period.
Princess Jincheng’s Marriage to the Tibetan King
In 706 CE, the first formal peace treaty between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire, known as the Shenlong Treaty, was established. In 707 CE, the Tibetan Empire requested a royal marriage alliance, which the Tang Emperor Zhongzong (Li Xian) accepted. In 710 CE, Princess Jincheng was officially granted the title of “Princess Jincheng” and was chosen to marry Tridé Tsuktsen.
In November 709 CE, a Tibetan delegation of 1,000 people arrived in Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an) to escort Princess Jincheng to Tibet. In early 710 CE, Emperor Zhongzong issued an edict emphasizing the importance of peace and harmony, marking the beginning of her journey. After a farewell banquet in Xianyang, Princess Jincheng traveled west under the protection of envoy Yang Ju and arrived in Lhasa, where she married the Tibetan king.
To commemorate this diplomatic marriage, the Tang court renamed Xianyang as “Jincheng County” and granted tax exemptions for local residents for one year.
Princess Jincheng‘s Life in Tibet:
Living nearly three decades in Tibet, Princess Jincheng became an integral part of the local society, holding a position of high esteem. Her role was not only as a peace broker but also as a cultural ambassador, intertwining the destinies of the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire.
Political Turmoil and Diplomatic Challenges
In 712 CE, Mangmoje Chimalö, the Tibetan regent, passed away. This event marked a shift in Tibetan politics, leading to renewed hostilities. In 713 CE, during the Xiantian Coup, the Tang court offered a symbolic gift of the “Nine Bends” region to Tibet, hoping to maintain peace. Despite these efforts, Tibetan military incursions continued.
From 714 CE to 733 CE, the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire engaged in continuous conflicts. Princess Jincheng played a mediating role, advocating for peace between the two empires. In 729 CE, after a major defeat, the Tibetan Empire sent envoys to request a ceasefire. The following year, Tridé Tsuktsen formally appealed to restore peaceful relations, citing familial ties through his marriage to Princess Jincheng.
The Royal Lineage and Cultural Impact:
While Princess Jincheng and Princess Wencheng were not born princesses, their marriages elevated their statuses significantly in Tibet. Historical records from Dunhuang document the arrival and eventual passing of Princess Jincheng, indicating the reverence she received, akin to that of a queen.
The Border Agreement and Its Collapse
In 733 CE, both empires erected boundary markers at Chiling, agreeing to cease hostilities. This marked a brief period of peace. However, in 737 CE, the Tang Dynasty launched a surprise attack deep into Tibetan territory, destroying the fragile truce. The destruction of the boundary markers in 738 CE reignited prolonged warfare.
The Influence of Marriage Alliances:
The marriage of Princess Jincheng, following Princess Wencheng, played a pivotal role in the Tibetan and Tang empires’ histories. It served as a powerful statement of the Tang Dynasty’s influence over the region, as reflected in the military victories of Tang generals over Tibetan forces.
Princess Jincheng: The Tang Dynasty’s Cultural Envoy to Tibet
Princess Jincheng, also known as Li Nunu, was a key historical figure of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for her marriage to the Tibetan King Tride Tsukten. As the foster daughter of Emperor Zhongzong and the biological daughter of Prince Li Shouli, her journey followed the path taken by Princess Wencheng seventy years earlier, symbolizing a continued cultural and political alliance between Tang China and Tibet.
A Pathway to Unity:
To facilitate Princess Jincheng’s passage into Tibet, the Tibetans carved roads through mountains. By the end of 710 AD, she arrived in Lhasa, where she was received with great honour and given the title “Kedun,” signifying her status as the primary consort of the Tibetan Emperor.
Princess Jincheng’s Final Years
In 739 CE, Princess Jincheng left Lhasa, possibly due to escalating tensions. She passed away in 741 CE at the age of 44, marking the end of an era of fragile diplomacy between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire.
Legacy of Princess Jincheng
Princess Jincheng’s life symbolizes the complex relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire. Her marriage represented a significant diplomatic effort to maintain peace, though it ultimately could not prevent future conflicts. Her legacy endures as a testament to the enduring power of cultural and political diplomacy in ancient China and Tibet.
Cultural Contributions:
Accompanied by a caravan bearing silks and various treasures, including books and musicians, Princess Jincheng’s arrival marked a significant impact on cultural exchange between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, fostering a deepening of relations and cultural integration.
Diplomacy and Conflict:
The Tang military campaigns against Tibetan territories, led by generals like Tang Xiuqing and Yang Jue, were marked by both victories and strategic manoeuvres. The donation of the Nine Bends territory to Tibet by Yang Jue, under the guise of creating a bathing area for the princess, proved to be a contentious decision leading to years of conflict.
The Aftermath of the Princess’s Marriage:
The complex interplay of alliance and battle characterized the Tang-Tibet relations for over two centuries. Despite periods of strife, the Tang Dynasty saw more victories than defeats, maintaining a strong presence in the Western Regions and along the Silk Road.
The Legacy of Princess Jincheng:
Princess Jincheng’s life in Tibet is well-documented in historical records from Dunhuang, highlighting her high status and the posthumous honours she received, on par with those of the Tibetan queens. The records speak of her revered position and the lasting influence of her marriage on the political landscape of the time.
A Call for Preservation:
As history evolved, with the introduction of modern materials, the traditional role of pottery and other crafts faced a decline. However, the legacy of figures like Princess Jincheng serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The resurgence of traditional crafts speaks to a collective desire to maintain a connection with the past and honour the ecological benefits these practices offer.
Princess Jincheng’s Diplomatic Endeavors: A Chronicle of Sino-Tibetan Relations
Princess Jincheng’s story is one of diplomacy and peace in the turbulent times of the Tang Dynasty’s border conflicts with Tibet. Following her marriage to the Tibetan King in 710 AD, she became a symbol of Sino-Tibetan amity, often engaging in efforts to foster peace between the two empires.
Letters for Peace:
Amidst the intermittent warfare post-714 AD, with both Tang and Tibet experiencing victories and defeats, Princess Jincheng, in 716 AD, penned a letter of gratitude to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She expressed her hopes for the restoration of the nephew-uncle alliance and gifted back with a golden goblet and other precious items.
The Overtures of Alliance:
By 717 AD, Princess Jincheng reiterated her calls for peace, highlighting the Tibetan chancellor’s desire to formalize an agreement. Emperor Xuanzong heeded these requests, marking a pivotal moment in the reconciliation process.
Renewed Conflict and Subsequent Peacemaking:
Between 722 and 729 AD, the Tang Dynasty’s military forces were frequently crushed by Tibetan troops. Emperor Xuanzong sent envoys to Tibet, where the Tibetan King, moved by the princess’s pleas, agreed to a truce, acknowledging their familial bond and the prior aggressions that had led to conflict.
Cultural Exchanges and Lasting Peace:
In 730 AD, Tibetan envoys delivered gifts to Chang’an and sought literary works to take back to Tibet, demonstrating the cultural exchange fostered by Princess Jincheng. By 732 AD, she petitioned Emperor Xuanzong for the establishment of a proper residence, signifying the continued peace and happiness of the two nations.
Boundary Settlements and Trade:
The year 733 saw the finalization of borders and peace treaties between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet, with trade agreements and non-aggression pacts cemented at Gansong Ridge, illustrating the enduring impact of Princess Jincheng’s diplomacy.
Princess Jincheng’s Legacy in Tibetan Buddhism
Another enduring legacy attributed to her is the establishment of the “Seven-Week Memorial Service” (or “Seven-Week Offering”). According to Tibetan texts, this custom, which involves performing religious rituals for the deceased over seven weeks, was introduced by Princess Jincheng to align with Chinese Buddhist funeral traditions. This practice became an essential part of Tibetan religious life.
In 739 CE, Princess Jincheng succumbed to smallpox. On her deathbed, she encouraged her attendants to ordain as monks and dedicate themselves to the service of the Buddha. Her contributions to Tibetan society were profound—she not only facilitated cultural and trade exchanges but also laid the groundwork for the flourishing of Buddhism. The monasteries she helped establish became important centers for the study and practice of Buddhism, and her compassionate initiatives significantly shaped Tibetan religious customs.
Through her tireless efforts, Princess Jincheng left a lasting mark on Tibetan history. Her commitment to humanitarianism, religious devotion, and diplomatic harmony between the Tang dynasty and Tibet underscores her exceptional legacy.
Princess Jincheng’s narrative is a testament to the power of intercultural marriage as a diplomatic tool during the Tang Dynasty. Her influence stretched beyond the royal courts, as she played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the era and ensuring lasting peace and prosperity for the people of both empires.
